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November 9, 2009 By CHRIS MASCARO  chris.mascaro@newsday.com

Quick Summary

Jordan Sanders lifts the Red Devils to 3-2 win over Southold/Greenport for Class B title.

Photo credit: Patrick E. McCarthy | Center Moriches' Nikole Rocco (left), who scored the goal that sent the game into overtime, and Jordan Sanders, who scored the game-winning goal, celebrate. (November 9, 2009)

"I had no idea what to do," said the Center Moriches sophomore before her penalty kick in the fifth round of the shootout. "I just thought to pick a corner, and I didn't even do that."

Regardless of the method, Sanders got the job done. Her goal provided the difference in the No. 3 Red Devils' 3-2 advantage over No. 1 Southold/Greenport in the shootout that determined the Suffolk Class B title Monday at Diamond in the Pines in Coram. The teams played to a 1-1 tie through regulation and 30 minutes of overtime.

Sanders admittedly struggled with her penalty kicks in recent practices, but Center Moriches coach Lea Brady decided to stick with the midfielder, who had six goals coming into the game. After she buried a high shot straight down the middle, the next Southold/Greenport shooter missed high and wide to the right to spark the celebration.

"I look who wants to take one," Brady said about how she chooses the five girls for the shootout. "[Sanders] has that inner confidence that I knew would come out."

The Red Devils, who will play for the Long Island Class B title on Saturday at Denton Avenue Field, wouldn't have even been in a shootout if not for the late-game heroics of Nikole Rocco. Facing a one-goal deficit with 2:34 to play in regulation, Rocco headed in a Jessica Bandrowski corner kick to tie the game at 1.

"This is our team in a nutshell, being able to persevere," Brady said about her Red Devils (12-6), who, after losing six of their first eight games to start the season, have reeled off 10 straight wins.

That streak was nearly broken as Sarah Golden chipped a shot over the left shoulder of Center Moriches goalie Kelsey Glanzman (10 saves) with only 13:55 remaining in the second half. Said Rocco: "It was very stressful. We learned to stay composed."

Golden gave Southold/Greenport (13-4), which was playing its first game since Oct. 29, a 1-0 advantage in the first round of the shootout. Bandrowski tied it at 1 in the third round, and Melissa Nohilly tied it at 2 in the fourth after Nicole VanBourgondien connected for the Settlers. Said Southold/Greenport coach Kevin McGoey: "It's the roll of the dice, a coin flip. It was a tough way to lose."